No specific dosing information for the botanical remedies is provided below as that would be a very individualized process. Please see your licensed ND or MD for dosing and further information.

How To Boost Your Immune System With Botanical Remedies

Echinacea

Many people have heard of Echinacea, or purple cone flower, for infections. It’s found in many prepared cold and flu remedies and for good reason. Echinacea stimulates the immune system to attack infections, and prevent infection progression, reduces inflammation, and promotes healing (vulnerary) when applied topically to sores and cuts

When choosing a product with Echinacea, make sure that it was made with the root of the plant, which has the most active ingredients. Echinacea is very safe, but those on immune-suppressant therapy should be very cautious.

Garlic (Allium sativum)

In my opinion, garlic is an all-around superstar. Amongst its many useful properties, it is highly anti-microbial. It can kill both viral and bacterial infections, without harming the beneficial gut bacterial – win-win!

The key to taking garlic for infections though is to take it raw. I once chewed a raw clove of garlic – it burns somewhat, and it’s really pungent but doable. If you’re feeling brave or curious, try it, or chop it up and swallow like a pill before bed. For kids, you may want to combine it with the next of the most useful foods to boost immune systems, honey.

Honey

Raw honey was recently shown to be more effective against coughs than dextromethorphan (DM) cough syrup. In its unpasteurized form, honey has marvelous anti-microbial properties that can be taken internally or applied topically. Soak chopped garlic in a bit of unpasteurized honey on a sunny window to create your very own infection-fighting syrup. Never give unpasteurized honey to children under 1 years old!

As an Naturopathic Doctor, Jenny Henderson strongly believes in the healing power of nature, and the use of evidence-based and traditional therapies in supporting each person in overcoming health concerns, restoring health, and preventing illness. Jenny is currently accepting new patients at her practice in both Aurora and Minden, Ontario.